Resonator apparatus for electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements and method for measuring electron spin resonance (ESR) signals

ABSTRACT

A resonator apparatus and a method for electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements are disclosed. The resonator apparatus comprises a dielectric resonator and a sample vessel extending through the resonator. The sample vessel is configured as one single flexible tube. Means are provided for conveying a liquid sample substance through the flexible tube. According to the method a liquid sample substance is guided through the sample vessel, wherein the sample substance is gated by cyclically conveying and stopping, resp., a flow of the sample substance. A measurement is conducted within the resonator when the flow of sample substance is stopped.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention, generally, relates to the field of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy.

[0002] More specifically, the invention is related to certain ESR measurements conducted on liquid samples, in particular liquid foodstuffs.

[0003] The invention, still more specifically, relates to a resonator apparatus for electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements, comprising a dielectric resonator and a sample vessel extending through the resonator.

[0004] The invention, further, is related to a method of measuring electron spin resonance (ESR) signals within a resonator, wherein a liquid sample substance is guided through a sample vessel extending through the resonator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Document DE 41 25 655 A1 discloses a resonator apparatus for electron spin resonance spectroscopy. This prior art resonator apparatus utilizes a dielectric resonator ring. The microwave energy required for exciting the resonance is fed via a coaxial cable terminating in a coupling loop. The coupling loop serves as an antenna located in the exterior area of the resonance ring, and is adapted to be displaced in a direction parallel to the axis thereof. A conventional sample tube being closed at its bottom is used as the sample vessel, and, therefore, the sample tube contains a solid sample substance.

[0006] Therefore, this prior art apparatus, as disclosed, is not suitable for measuring liquid samples.

[0007] Document DE 30 29 754 A1 discloses a probe head for electron spin resonance measurements. This prior art probe head, too, utilizes a dielectric resonance ring as a resonant element. However, in this prior art probe head the microwave excitation is effected via a hollow waveguide and a slit iris for coupling microwave energy into the resonance ring.

[0008] This prior art probe head, too, is only suited for measuring solid samples.

[0009] Document WO 01/36994 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for investigating the durability of liquid food stuffs by means of electron spin resonance.

[0010] According to the described method, the durability of beer is preferably determined by means of electron spin resonance. For that purpose, the prior art apparatus utilizes a sample vessel being provided with a plurality of elongate sample areas having a minimum radial dimension. The sample vessel either consists of a solid block having a corresponding plurality of axial bores, or it is configured by a bundle of capillaries. The probe vessel extends through a hollow cavity. The liquid sample substance flows through the cavity at a location where the magnetic field strength is at a maximum because all bores or capillaries are located in that area of maximum magnetic field strength.

[0011] These prior art apparatuses, however, have the disadvantage that the extremely thin sample channels tend to clogging. For example, one individual thin sample channel may be clogged either by a solid particle comprised within the liquid sample substance, or gas bubbles contained within the sample substance may cause a clogging of the sample channel. This may happen mainly in connection with those sample substances having a gas diluted therein, as is, for example, the case for beer or other carbonated food stuffs. In that case the result of the measurement is substantially affected. Moreover, with these prior art apparatuses the cleaning of the capillary-like sample channels presents a problem.

[0012] Finally, it is generally known in the art of electron spin resonance measurements on liquid samples to use so-called “flat cells”, as are used within hollow cavity resonators for the conventional TE₁₀₂ mode of excitation. The term “flat cell” designates a sample vessel consisting of an originally cylindrical glass tube being compressed over a certain axial length so that only a flat parallelepiped sample volume remains in that flattened area.

[0013] Flat cells, however, also have the disadvantage that rinsing and cleaning same presents a problem because the sample substance only flows insufficiently through the lateral corners in the transition between the circular cylindrical and the flat section of the flat cell.

[0014] All prior art apparatuses, further, have the common disadvantage that the sample vessels, to the extent as they are configured for a sample substance flowing therethrough, always have to be connected within the experimental setup via special couplings and fittings which conventionally consist of metal and, hence, tend to corrosion. Finally, not all prior art sample assemblies are adapted for measurements on liquid samples being at an elevated temperature of, for example, 60° C.

[0015] It is, therefore, an object underlying the present invention to improve a resonator apparatus as well as a method of the type specified at the outset, such that the afore-mentioned disadvantages are avoided. In particular, the invention shall enable to execute fast, undisturbed and sensitive measurements on liquid sample substances, wherein it shall be particularly possible to quickly change between sample substances without interchanging the sample vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] With a resonator apparatus of the type specified at the outset, this object is achieved by the present invention in that the sample vessel is configured as one single flexible tube, and means are provided for conveying a liquid sample substance through the flexible tube.

[0017] According to a method of the type specified at the outset, the object is achieved according to the present invention in that the sample substance is gated by cyclically conveying and stopping, respectively, a flow of the sample substance, a measurement being conducted within the resonator when the flow of the sample substance is stopped.

[0018] The object underlying the invention is, thus, entirely solved. By utilizing a single flexible tube as a sample vessel, all disadvantages of the prior art relating to the clogging of individual capillaries are avoided as much as the problem of insufficient flow through certain sample vessel sections. An individual flexible tube, namely, has a minimum hydrodynamic flow resistance and, when dimensioned with a sufficient diameter, it may enclose a sufficient amount of sample substance in order to ensure a satisfying signal-to-noise ratio. A high dielectric load on the resonator with corresponding losses is not to be expected because within the context of the inventive apparatus a particular resonance element is utilized, namely a dielectric resonator. Finally, by providing a conveying means, for example a pump, a sufficient flow within the individual flexible tube used as a sample vessel, may be ensured.

[0019] According to the inventive method it is possible to conduct measurements on different portions of the flow of sample substance by gating the flow when conveyed through the resonator and conducting measurements on the sample substance whenever the flow is stopped. This is primarily independent of the shape of the sample vessel and of the type of resonator used, however, it is preferred to also use an individual flexible tube as a sample vessel and a dielectric resonator as the resonance element.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the inventive resonator apparatus the flexible tube is made from a material having no ESR signal within an ESR frequency range of ±6% around the ESR frequency of a free electron.

[0021] This measure has the advantage that no spurious signals are superimposed over the resonance line measured corresponding to the substance contained in the sample vessel.

[0022] Moreover, it is preferred when the material is temperature-resistant up to at least 80° C.

[0023] This measure has the advantage that measurements may be conducted on heated-up liquids.

[0024] The conditions mentioned before are met according to the present invention by utilizing a fluorethylenepolymer, still more preferably, polytetrafluorethylene (PDFE) as the material, i.e. a group of materials or a material, respectively, showing no ESR signals within the mentioned range and being, further, sufficiently temperature-resistant.

[0025] In an another group of preferred embodiments of the resonator apparatus means are provided for thermostatting the sample, as known per se. These thermostatting means may be configured as heating means located outside or inside the resonator.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible tube is directly connected to the conveying means.

[0027] This measure has the advantage that contrary to prior art apparatuses no couplings or fittings are required so that all problems relating to corrosion and leaking are avoided. Moreover, a flexible tube is a component that may easily be exchanged so that measurements are also simplified insofar.

[0028] In this context it is further preferred when the conveying means are configured as a controllable pump, in particular when the pump is connected to a control unit for cyclically switching the pump on and off.

[0029] This measure has the already mentioned advantage that the flow of sample substance may be measured stepwise, i.e. always at a moment in time when the flow is stopped and a measurement is conducted within the resonator.

[0030] According to further embodiments of the inventive resonator apparatus the flexible tube is adapted to be fixated within the resonator by means of releasable fixation elements.

[0031] This measure has the already mentioned advantage that the tube may easily be exchanged.

[0032] Insofar, it is particularly preferred when a guide tube is provided for holding the flexible tube within the resonator.

[0033] This measure has the advantage that the flexible tube may particularly easily be guided through the resonator.

[0034] It is, further, preferred in this context when the guide tube is made from an elastic material, a chuck being provided for fixating the flexible tube within the guide tube, the chuck engaging the guide tube.

[0035] This measure has the advantage that the flexible tube may be fixated in a particularly careful way so that it must not be expected that when the chuck is set with too much power, the flexible tube will be squeezed because there is the elastic guide tube located between the chuck and the flexible tube so that the pressure exerted by the chuck is distributed homogeneously.

[0036] As already mentioned at the outset, the prior art teaches to feed dielectric resonators either from a microwave coaxial line or from a hollow waveguide. Within the present context it is preferred to feed the resonator via a hollow waveguide.

[0037] In connection with the inventive method it is preferred when the sample substance has a non-homogeneous composition and the composition changes in a direction of the flow, preferably sec-tionwise. Within a further embodiment of the invention this is the case when the flow of sample substance is provided by an auto-sampler directing distinct sample substances into the sample vessel one after another.

[0038] These measures have the advantage that distinct liquid sample substances may be measured by ESR in a quickly changing mode of operation without incurring the disadvantages of prior art apparatuses and methods, as explained at the outset. The inventive method, therefore, is particularly suited for measuring the durability of beer by means of electron spin resonance, however, it is in no way restricted to that particularly application.

[0039] Further advantages will become apparent from the description and the enclosed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] It goes without saying that the features mentioned before and those that will be explained hereinafter, may not only be used in the particularly given combination, but also in other combinations, or alone, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0041] Examples of the invention are depicted in the drawing and will be explained in further detail within the subsequent description.

[0042]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive resonator apparatus;

[0043]FIG. 2 is an axial partial sectional view of the resonator apparatus according to FIG. 1, on a highly enlarged scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Within the figures reference numeral 10 as a whole designates an ESR resonator having a resonator housing 12 on which a waveguide connector 14 is shown.

[0045] Within the interior of resonator housing 12 there is a dielectric resonator 16 defining a longitudinal axis 17. Resonator 16 has the shape of a hollow cylinder and is resonant within the microwave range, as described in further detail in document DE 41 25 655 A1, mentioned at the outset. Reference is made to that document for avoiding unnecessary repetitions.

[0046] Resonator 10 is provided with a coupling element 18 located between waveguide connector 14 and dielectric resonator 16 and being adapted to be operated from the outside.

[0047] The upper side and the bottom side of resonator housing 12 are each provided with a flange, one of them being shown in FIG. 1 at 20. Each flange 20 houses a chuck 22 a, 22 b. Chucks 22 a, 22 b grip a guide tube 24 extending through the entire resonator housing 12 and, hence, also through dielectric resonator 16 along axis 17 and protruding beyond resonator housing 12.

[0048] As may particularly be taken from FIG. 2, a PTFE flexible tube 26 is guided through guide tube 24 without any couplings or fittings whatsoever.

[0049] Reference numeral 30 in FIG. 2 indicates a flow input coming, for example, from an automatic measuring system like an auto-sampler. A pump 32 is provided in the area of flow input 30. Pump 32 may be controlled via a control line 34, namely depending on a control unit 36. Control unit 36 is adapted to switch pump 32 on and off cyclically so that a flow of sample substance is cyclically conveyed through flexible tube 26 or stopped, respectively.

[0050] At the opposite terminal end of flexible tube 26 reference numeral 38 indicates a flow output which may be configured as a feedback line towards flow input 30, as may be suitable for a particular case of application.

[0051] Finally, reference numeral 40 indicates a thermostat serving, preferably, for heating-up the liquid sample substance conveyed within flexible tube 26. Thermostat 40 is indicated in FIG. 2 as being an external unit. However, it goes without saying that it may also be integrated within resonator 10.

[0052] Resonator 10 is preferably operated at X-band frequencies, i.e. at a microwave frequency of between 9 and 12 GHz. For ESR measurements this corresponds to a magnetic field strength of approximately 0.35 T.

[0053] In order to make sure that the ESR measurements on the liquid sample substance is not disturbed, flexible tube 26 as well as guide tube 24 must consist of a material having no ESR signal within the above-mentioned range. Insofar, a range of ±6% around the ESR frequency of a free electron (or around the corresponding magnetic field strength at constant microwave frequency) would be sufficient for sample substances being preferably of interest within the present context.

[0054] Considering that within the scope of the present invention measurements on heated-up liquid sample substances are preferred, the materials of the afore-mentioned elements must be temperature-resistant, namely up to 60° C. at a minimum, preferably up to 80° C. These are temperatures at which measurements relating to the durability of beer are conducted when beer is artificially aged by strong heating-up. This is described in more detail within document WO 01/36994 A1, mentioned at the outset and reference is made to that particular document in this context.

[0055] A group of materials having the desired properties, is the group of fluorethylenepolymers, in particular polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) also known under the registered trade name “Teflon”. Flexible tube 26 is preferably made from that material.

[0056] It had already been mentioned that flexible tube 26 is guided up to pump 32 or an automatic measuring system, for example an auto-sampler, without any coupling or fitting. Therefore, flexible tube 26 at one of its terminal ends is connected to the afore-mentioned unit and, during the setting-up of the measurement, is guided through a resonator 10 while chucks 22 a and 22 b are loosened. The relatively rigid guide tube 24 helps to introduce flexible tube 26 and makes sure that the limb flexible tube 26 in the area of dielectric resonator 16 is guided as exactly as possible along the longitudinal axis 17 thereof, where the magnetic radio frequency field strength is at its maximum.

[0057] Continuous flexible tube 26 is then guided out of the bottom side of resonator 10 and then connected to flow output 38.

[0058] It is particularly preferred to feed a flow of sample substance to the apparatus via flow input 30 having a different composition along sections thereof. This may be effected with an auto-sampler by feeding a certain amount of sample substance from individual supply containers to flexible tube 26 one after the other. The quantities of sample substance are dimensioned such that they correspond to an axial length of flexible tube 26 corresponding, in turn, to a fill of resonator 16. Accordingly, sample substances of distinct compositions are arranged one after the other along sections of flexible tube 26, and are conveyed one after the other through resonator 16 by cyclically operating pump 32. As soon as one of these sections of sample substance is arranged within the area of resonator 16, the flow of sample substance is stopped, so that an ESR measurement may be conducted on that particular section of sample substance. Pump 32 may either be operated as a pressure pump or as a suction pump so that the sections of sample substance are conveyed from pump 32 towards resonator 16 or vice versa. Contrary to the depiction in FIG. 2 pump 32 may also be located at the flow output of resonator 16.

[0059] By doing so a serial measurement on a plurality of distinct samples may be conducted in an advantageous manner, the measurement as such being described in already-mentioned document WO 01/36994 A1. 

1. A resonator apparatus for electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements, comprising a dielectric resonator and a sample vessel extending through said resonator, said sample vessel being configured as one single flexible tube, and means for conveying a liquid sample substance through said flexible tube.
 2. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible tube is made from a material having no ESR signal within an ESR frequency range of 6% around the ESR frequency of a free electron.
 3. The resonator apparatus of claim 2, wherein said material is temperature-resistant up to at least 80° C.
 4. The resonator apparatus of claim 2, wherein said material is a fluorethylenpolymer.
 5. The resonator apparatus of claim 4, wherein said material is polytetrafluorethylen (PTFE).
 6. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein means are provided for thermostatting said sample.
 7. The resonator apparatus of claim 6, wherein said thermostatting means are configured as heating means.
 8. The resonator apparatus of claim 6, wherein said thermostatting means are located outside said resonator.
 9. The resonator apparatus of claim 6, wherein said thermostatting means are located inside said resonator.
 10. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible tube is connnected directly to said conveying means.
 11. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveying means are configured as a controllable pump.
 12. The resonator apparatus of claim 11, wherein said pump is connected to a control unit for cyclically switching said pump on and off.
 13. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexible tube is adapted to be fixated within said resonator by means of releasable fixation elements.
 14. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein a guide tube is provided for holding said flexible tube within said resonator.
 15. The resonator apparatus of claim 14, wherein said guide tube is made from an elastic material, a chuck being provided for fixating said flexible tube within said guide tube, said chuck engaging said guide tube.
 16. The resonator apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resonator is fed via a hollow waveguide.
 17. A method of measuring electron spin resonance (ESR) signals within a resonator, wherein a liquid sample substance is guided through a sample vessel extending through said resonator, wherein, further, said sample substance is gated by cyclically conveying and stopping, resp., a flow of said sample substance, a measurement being conducted within said resonator when said flow of sample substance is stopped.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said flow consists of a sample substance having a non-homogeneous composition, said composition changing in a direction of said flow.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said composition changes stepwise.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said flow of sample substance is provided by an autosampler directing distinct sample substances into said sample vessel one after another. 